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Koroibete back, Skelton overlooked as Wallabies name squad to meet Boks
By Iain Payten
The Wallabies have welcomed back Marika Koroibete and Angus Bell but will begin their Rugby Championship campaign without the size and power of France-based star Will Skelton after coach Joe Schmidt overlooked the giant lock for a two-Test series against the Springboks, starting next week.
After securing three wins from his first three Tests in July, Schmidt revealed an updated 36-man squad for the opening games of the Rugby Championship on Thursday.
In a group that contained a further seven new players, the absence of injured star Fraser McReight, the inclusions of Koroibete and Bell, and the additions of young guns Corey Toole and Max Jorgensen were among the more noteworthy elements.
So, too, the selections of uncapped No.7s Luke Reimer and Carlo Tizzano, and Reds flanker Seru Uru, who will all come into calculations to replace McReight, who picked up a thumb injury in the first Test against Wales in Sydney and underwent corrective surgery.
There was no recall for Skelton as a ‘Giteau Law’ selection, despite the massive lock – who captained the Wallabies last year under Eddie Jones – being flagged as a potential recruit who could add weight to the Australian forward pack as they prepare to do battle with the giant Springboks at Suncorp Stadium on August 10.
Showing he intends to continue prioritising local-based players, Schmidt only opted to use one overseas-based player pick from a possible three, with two-time John Eales medallist Koroibete coming into the squad after another strong season in Japan.
Skelton returned to pre-season training for La Rochelle this week and may still be considered for duty further into the Rugby Championship.
But sources familiar with the selection discussions, who are not permitted to comment publicly, said there was a strong chance Skelton will be left to do a pre-season with his club, and only link back up with the Wallabies on the Spring Tour.
After playing almost non-stop for two years, Skelton is fatigued and Schmidt and his coaching staff were keener to use the Rugby Championship to build up homegrown players.
Wallabies second-rower Will Skelton.Credit: Getty
Liam Wright and Langi Gleeson were also left out due to injury, but rookies Darby Lancaster, Charlie Cale and David Feliuai were dropped from the squad. Alex Hodgman, the fourth man to play for both the All Blacks and Wallabies, was also omitted.
Koroibete’s selection puts an end to speculation the 32-year-old had retired from Test rugby, which emerged after the Rugby World Cup last year. Koroibete later informed Rugby Australia he was still keen to play for the Wallabies but was not considered in the July series.
Though Schmidt is keen to pick from within Australia, Koroibete is in a class of his own and a proven performer against the Springboks, as seen by the incredible tackle that helped the Wallabies beat the world champions in Adelaide in 2022.
The return of Bell is good news for the Wallabies’ front row, after it appeared the 23-year-old would be sidelined for another extended period in April, when he re-injured his troublesome right foot.
Having sat out most of 2023 with toe ligament injury, which required surgery, Bell was dejected when he injured the same foot and underwent further surgery.
But Bell has rehabbed at a quicker rate this year, and was originally thought to be tracking to return for the Argentina trip, along with Dave Porecki and Rob Leota. It remains to be seen if he’ll be used against the Springboks but Hodgman’s release would indicate Bell is in line for game time.
Waratahs and Wallabies prop Angus Bell.Credit: Getty
Reimer, who has made an art of late-game breakdown impact for the Brumbies, trained with the Wallabies squad in late July and has his nose ahead of aggressive Force flanker Tizzano to replace McReight as an on-baller. But Uru shapes as a bolter to match-up with the Boks’ back row, with a bigger frame, a good lineout presence and an impressive running game.
After showing his raw speed at the Olympics, Toole has come into the squad for Lancaster.
Jorgensen, who has been added after overcoming a hamstring tear suffered in club rugby in May, is unlikely to play against the Boks but Schmidt is keen to continue working with the youngster, who also spent time in the squad in the week before the Georgia game.
The Boks have struggled to win in Australia – and their 24-8 win in Sydney in 2022 was their only win here in the last 11 years.
“Every year there’s an excuse,” Eramus said.
“We are a team that shouldn’t have excuses. In the past we would be in Super Rugby and play week-in, week-out against them. It’s becoming a bit more difficult because some of the players are new to us. Joe Schmidt certainly isn’t new to us. We know they will be well-organised.”
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